Olivia McLaughlin is an award-winning Irish writer and director based between London and Dublin.

She makes people-centred work - intimate, emotionally honest, and grounded in humour and everyday life. Her films sit in the space between drama and comedy, drawn to stories that are small but big.

Her debut short film Parting premiered at the Oscar®-qualifying Galway Film Fleadh, where she was nominated for the Bingham Ray New Talent Award. The film went on to screen at BAFTA-qualifying Belfast Film Festival and DIFF, where it received a Discovery Award nomination in association with Screen Ireland - following in the footsteps of Jessie Buckley and Barry Keoghan. Parting has since won a Silver Award for Best Direction at the 2025-26 Shark Awards.

Alongside narrative work, Olivia directs music videos and commercials with the same people-first focus. Her music video work has earned her a place on the Shiny List, screened at DIFF, and won the Audience Award at the Directed By Her Festival. Commercial clients include Vodafone and Dogs Trust.

With a background in producing - creating work for CMAT, Guinness, and Tourism Ireland - Olivia brings a collaborative, detail-driven sensibility to set. She was nominated for Producer of the Year in 2022.

Olivia has been invited to speak at Creative Futures Academy and Generation Fleadh, and previously served as a Board Member of ICAD (Institute of Creative Advertising and Design).

She is currently developing a slate of narrative projects, including work through Stowe Story Labs and her next short film.

Alongside all of this, she also likes margaritas and wearing sunglasses, regardless of the weather.

Email: oliviamclaughlinfilm@gmail.com